Review of For Your Eyes Only: Special Edition (James Bond)

Introduction

I have had 3 versions of this movie, the DVD being my third the previous 2 were on VHS. First time around it had a white sleeve and original artwork, followed by the 2nd, a part of the 007 VHS collection with all matching sleeves. Therefore I can say this one has been one of my best Bonds. As with all of the Region 1 007 movies you are introduced straight away with impressive menus, and on this DVD there is no exception. It`s like you`re in a "TV fishtank" with the good use of underwater bubble effects, swimming fish and ocean blue colours all blended around a 007ish feel and look, it`s all very relaxing!

Video

Although this is a 1981 movie the picture transfer on the whole is short of spectacular, the pool scene at Hector Gonzale`s villa is an ideal scene to study the contrast and colours. The colours are clear and the blacks are bold and even the night scenes are good. I have to admit that I did spy some white dropouts in the picture at the Q`s Lab scene but even so they were very minimal and you have to have a keen eye to catch them, there could have been more but this was the scene I spotted them in. The movie has some fabulous visuals in it once Bond arrives in Cortina, it`s tempting to pause the DVD and have the scenes as wall pictures to show guests when they arrive!! Don`t you just adore those widescreen shots!!
Another proof of good picture transfer and digital technology is at the submarine scene where Bond and Melina are getting the ATAC, usually underwater scenes with their dark blues and blurs are awful (The Abyss - VHS for example) but this is one scene, put to the test and yet everything can still be made out and is quite clear despite the surroundings.

Audio

This DVD features a 5.1 soundtrack and really sounds fantastic in a movie like this, starting with the helicopter torturing Bond at the beginning, good use of audio effects here I must say. I was impressed with the catchy tune during the Citroen car chase, it was very 007ish with a touch of the country they were in, if you get my drift! Another track that goes really well with the action is called "Runaway" (I have the soundtrack) and this features after Bond has done his skijump and is being chased, I think this also is 007ish / Olympic. All these tunes envelop you making use of all 4 speakers and giving enough bass out, as with the explosion scenes.

Features

There is an above average content of features on this DVD to go with the movie, the 25-30 mins documentary is the plus point, 2 commentary`s, music video, stills and sequences and all the usual stuff like trailers and tv spots, still a bit here though compared to other DVD`s it`s a shame though nothing more could be dug up as this movie is crammed full of stunts and sequences which I would have loved to know more about.

Conclusion

This has got to be a part of any Bond fan`s collection as the movie features some brilliant scenes. The Citroen car chase is not just a laugh but well filmed taking the chase through narrow streets (Similar to the chases in "Ronin") as well as orchards, chicanes, jumps and rolls, that little yellow car certainly takes some pounding!! Another fast scene has got to be the ski chase, accompanied by a good music track with loads going on here, for starters Bond has bikes after him with built on guns, there are trees to weave, jumps and at one point Bond only has one ski stick which even that he puts to use, but the chase just gets better as Bond leads it into a bobsled run, amazing!
And if it`s a tension scene you`re after then the mountain climb gets me everytime I watch it, very gripping stuff when only what you have to save your fall are pegs and rope and at one point Bond nearly only has the rope!! I don`t know to this day if I like the Thatcher end bit or not, sometimes I watch it thinking that it spoils the movie and yet I see the humorous side of it other days, hmm. Anyway what more can I say excellent movie and good show James.